General Manager Resume Example & Writing Guide
Create an effective General Manager resume using this real-world example and writing guide. Learn what to include and how to showcase your skills and experience. Get expert tips for structuring and formatting your resume. Follow best practices to make your application stand out. Includes a complete GM resume sample you can use for reference.
A solid resume is a must-have for any General Manager looking for a new job. In a busy job market, your resume needs to quickly grab the attention of hiring managers and showcase your skills and experience. But writing a resume that stands out isn't always easy, especially if you're not sure what to include or how to structure it.
That's where this guide comes in. We'll walk you through the key parts of a General Manager resume and show you how to highlight your biggest wins. You'll get tips on what to include in each section, how to talk about your achievements, and how to make your resume easy to read. We've also included a real-world resume example so you can see these tips in action.
By the end of this article, you'll have all the info you need to write a General Manager resume that gets results. Let's dive in and start crafting your winning resume!
Common Responsibilities Listed on General Manager Resumes
- Oversee and manage daily operations of the business or organization
- Develop and implement strategic plans and objectives for growth and profitability
- Manage and lead teams of managers and staff across various departments
- Analyze financial data, prepare reports, and monitor budgets and expenses
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies
- Identify areas for improvement and implement process optimization measures
- Manage customer and client relationships, address concerns, and ensure satisfaction
- Represent the company at events, meetings, and conferences
- Collaborate with other executives and stakeholders to align goals and strategies
- Recruit, hire, train, and develop staff, promoting talent growth and retention
- Oversee marketing, sales, and promotional activities to drive business growth
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How to write a Resume Summary
First, imagine trying to encapsulate what makes a savory and beautifully baked loaf of bread worth all the time and effort in only a few careful words? This is the challenge you face when creating the summary/objective section on your resume. This concise yet potent portion of the document gives a quick overlook of the professional individual you are and conveys value you bring to the table. As a general manager, the focus of this section should be on your high-level skills, competencies, relevant experience, and leadership abilities.
As professional writing tips suggest, using a concise language is pivotal. Not due to antipathy toward long sentences, but with respect to the person reading the document; they only have a few seconds to gauge your professional value. Thus, being brief is incredibly beneficial in your objective or summary.
Imagine a summary that resembles an elevator pitch; you're communicating the core of your professional background and value proposition to your potential employer, all within a short time frame. For a General Manager role, concentrate on leadership, strategic planning, oversight capabilities, and proficiency in driving business growth. Here, specificity rather than vagueness is advantageous.
When writing, remember that active voice showcases authority better than passive voice. Instead of saying, "Processes have been implemented to increase profits...", say, "I implemented processes to increase profits...". This communicates an image of a proactive doer, rather than a mere observer.
Adopt a candidate-centric approach rather than company-centric; the focus in your career summary should be you and the value you can provide. This section is not about what the company can do for you, but what you can do for the company.
When speaking of achievement, it's beneficial to pair them with solid quantities or data points, if possible. Concrete facts and numbers communicate a definitive picture and make your achievements tangible. For instance, if you contributed to cost-saving initiatives, put forth an estimation of how large of an impact you made. Specific numbers give the recruiter a better idea of the scale at which you've performed.
Finally, stay away from buzzwords and superfluous adjectives. Make sure each word has a purpose, and that purpose is to convey your skills and competencies.
Remember, the objective/summary section of the resume does not need to be filled with superlative language to resonate with the reader but a careful collection of words that mirrors an image of a professionally competent and valuable candidate.
Strong Summaries
- Adept General Manager with over 10 years in the industry, excelling in developing efficient business operations, sales strategy execution and team leadership. Proven track record of improving profitability and workflow management through applying strong cost control, customer service and strategic planning skills.
- Experienced General Manager with deep understanding of business functions such as HR, Finance, marketing and operations. Possess strong commitment to team environment dynamics with the ability to contribute expertise and follow leadership directives.
- Ambitious General Manager with 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Thrives in high-pressure environments and excels at developing staff and creating a high-performing team environment. Highly efficient in budgeting and financial management.
- Dynamic General Manager with a strong background in increasing profit margins and building organizational consistency and integrity. Able to motivate, innovate and lead with authority while maintaining a tactful and diplomatic demeanor.
Why these are strong?
The above are good examples of professional summaries because they clearly state the candidate’s title (General Manager), their years of experience, and their key skills. Each example is unique because they focus on different facets - improvement in business operations, understanding of various business functions, excelling in high-pressure environments, and increasing profit margins. These are useful practices in writing professional summaries because they give the employer a clear snapshot of the candidate's qualifications and suitability for the role in a concise manner.
Weak Summaries
- I am a general manager looking for a job. I have some experience in managing things. I once managed a store.
- General Manager with strong skills in getting things done. I have been a manager before, working at various places.
- Looking for a General Manager position. I have managed people and things.
- I am good at managing. I have experience in being a manager at many places.
Why these are weak?
Firstly, all these examples are vague. They do not mention any specific responsibilities, achievements, or skills. Furthermore, they lack the level of professionalism expected in a resume summary. The first example is casual and informal, the second one is too generic and the third, and fourth one is repetitive. A good professional summary should be concise, specific, and should highlight relevant skills and experiences. Also, using vague terms like 'some experience', 'various places', 'people and things' instead of providing concrete details about responsibilities handled, the type of organizations worked with or the team size managed is a bad practice as it does not give the reader a clear understanding of the candidate's capabilities.
Showcase your Work Experience
Embarking on your professional journey as a General Manager can undoubtedly generate a wealth of experiences that you can capitalize on when building your resume. Ensuring a well-executed and effective Work Experience section is a non-negotiable key element in the quest for success.
While the Work Experience section might simply appear to be a list of your job histories to you, to a potential employer, however, it's the clearest indicator they have for understanding your abilities, foundation of knowledge, and what you can bring to the new role. It impacts your credibility, in the sense that it clearly represents your skills and proficiency. Through careful and considerate construction of this section, you can strongly display your expertise and authority in your field which builds a sense of trustworthiness with potential employers.
Emphasize the Relevant Experiences
When constructing your work experience, focus on what's relevant for the position you are aiming for. Highlight the core responsibilities, skills, and achievements of your managerial roles that align best with the job description of the job you're applying for.
Be Specific with Numbers
Whenever possible, quantify your achievements. Did you increase sales or reduce costs? Include details like these with exact numbers. Your achievements can act as evidence of your skills, expertise, and significant contributions in the past.
Quantify your achievements and impact using concrete numbers, metrics, and percentages to demonstrate the value you brought to your previous roles.
Use Strong Verbs Consistently
Using strong, actionable verbs at the beginning of each bullet point helps to express your experience more effectively. They offer a clear and concise overview of your responsibilities and achievements, keeping the employer's attention without overwhelming them with unnecessary details.
Prioritize Information
List more recent jobs first, with experience and accomplishments listed in a reverse-chronological order. This helps to immediately highlight the recent, and possibly more rigorous, responsibilities undertaken within the industry.
Customize for Each Application
When applying for different jobs, ensure that your resume is tailored for each position. This shines a light on your adaptability, readiness, and in-depth understanding of what the role requires.
In every move you make on your professional journey, make sure your Work Experience section moves with you in a way that truly shines a spotlight on your capabilities, achievements, and professional growth. Your experience is yours uniquely; ensuring it's communicated effectively can significantly enhance the chances of landing that interview, regardless of the competition. With that in mind, ensuring that your work experience clearly articulates your expertise, authority, and trustworthiness is of utmost importance.
Strong Experiences
- Successfully led a team of 50+ employees to achieve a 25% increase in annual sales revenue.
- Implemented a new inventory management system that reduced wasted stock levels by 30%.
- Developed and executed strategic plans resulting in a 20% efficiency improvement.
- Directed the operational budget with a reduction in costs by 15% during the first quarter.
- Fostered an environment of customer satisfaction which reduced client churn rate by 10%.
Why these are strong?
These examples are considered good because they are specific, measurable, and provide a clear demonstration of the individual's capabilities as a General Manager. Good bullet points in a resume should provide tangible evidence of achievements and skills. They should be results-oriented, focusing on what the individual has successfully achieved in their role. These examples are quantifiable, highlighting key metrics and stats to illustrate the individual's impact. Moreover, they use power verbs like 'led', 'implemented', 'developed', 'directed', and 'fostered', which provide more impact and emphasize the individual's active role in achieving achievements.
Weak Experiences
- Being a general manager
- Worked as a manager
- I was a manager at my previous job
- My job before was general manager
- Managed a team
Why these are weak?
These examples are bad practices due to their lack of specificity and failure to demonstrate measurable results. They are too vague and fail to provide a clear picture of the individual's responsibilities, achievements, or the impact they had in their previous role as a General Manager. They also lack action words that articulate the tasks performed. Good resume bullet points for work experience should utilize action verbs, quantify results where possible, and clearly define the scope of responsibilities. Employers want to see achievements, skills, and specific examples of job performance, not a simple reiteration of a job title. A well-crafted bullet point could be 'Led a team of 15, increasing sales by 30% in a span of 6 months' which is more descriptive and tells an employer about the applicant's leadership capabilities and their ability to drive growth.
Skills, Keywords & ATS Tips
When you're penning a General Manager resume, two types of skills are crucial: hard and soft skills. Though both hold value, understanding their unique importance, and knowing how they link with Keywords and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can maximize your resume's impact. Let's simplify this concept without using industry jargon.
What are Hard and Soft Skills?
Hard skills are tangible, teachable skills. In the context of a General Manager, these may include budgeting, analytics, project management, and so on. They are measurable and directly tied to your profession.
Soft skills, on the other hand, relate to how you work and interact with others. They're harder to quantify. As a General Manager, key soft skills might be leadership, communication, problem-solving, etc.
The Importance of Hard and Soft Skills
In a General Manager role, hard skills help execute core duties. They demonstrate your technical knowledge and ability to handle the job specifics. But hard skills alone won’t win you the role.
The soft skills essentially show you're a well-rounded candidate. They depict your ability to lead a team, deal with conflicts, inspire and communicate effectively. So, while your hard skills might get your foot in the door, your soft skills will help you ace the interview and cope in your role.
Link between Keywords, ATS, and Skills
Keywords can make a significant difference to whether your resume reaches the hiring manager. This is where the ATS comes in. These systems scan your resume for relevant keywords, which in this case, refer to the specific hard and soft skills listed in the job advertisement.
By including these skills in your resume, you're matching keywords that the ATS is set to detect. You're therefore increasing your chances of passing the system.
Making the Most of the Skills Section
Pack your skills section with a blend of hard and soft skills that align with the job specification. Use clear, straightforward language when listing both types of skills. This way, you ensure your matching skills are picked up by the ATS, boosting your prospect of landing an interview.
Lastly, while hard skills might be learned or trained, soft skills often come naturally. So be genuine while listing them. It's simpler to develop a hard skill than it is to fabricate a soft skill.
Top Hard & Soft Skills for Full Stack Developers
Hard Skills
Soft Skills
Top Action Verbs
Use action verbs to highlight achievements and responsibilities on your resume.
Education
To effectively add education and certificates to your resume as a General Manager, consider the following steps. First, create a designated section titled 'Education' or 'Certifications'. List your highest education level or most relevant certification first, noting the name of the award, the institution, and the year earned. Continue this format for subsequent credentials. For relevancy, emphasize specialized trainings or certifications related to management. Remember, highlight your achievements that match the job requirements, demonstrating your fit for the role.
Resume FAQs for General Managers
What is the ideal length for a General Manager resume?
The ideal length for a General Manager resume is typically 1-2 pages. It should be concise yet comprehensive, highlighting your most relevant qualifications and achievements.
What is the best resume format for a General Manager position?
The reverse-chronological format is generally recommended for General Manager resumes. This format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, with the most recent position first, followed by earlier roles.
How should I structure my General Manager resume?
A well-structured General Manager resume should include sections for a professional summary, core competencies, work experience, leadership achievements, and any relevant certifications or training.
What keywords should I include in my General Manager resume?
Include keywords relevant to the General Manager role, such as strategic planning, operations management, team leadership, budget oversight, process improvement, and any industry-specific terms.
How can I make my General Manager resume stand out?
To make your General Manager resume stand out, quantify your achievements with metrics and data, highlight your leadership skills and ability to drive results, and tailor your content to the specific job requirements.
A General Manager oversees all operational aspects of a business, makes high-level strategic decisions, and leads the management team. Proven expertise in areas like budgeting, performance optimization, and cross-functional team leadership is essential. When crafting your resume, quantify achievements with metrics that demonstrate your impact on profitability, efficiency, and growth. Highlight skills in motivating teams, negotiating contracts, and implementing successful business strategies.
Dynamic and results-driven General Manager with a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to achieve operational excellence and drive business growth. Skilled in developing and implementing strategic initiatives that optimize performance, enhance customer satisfaction, and increase profitability. Adept at fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Spearheaded the successful launch of a new luxury resort, achieving 95% occupancy within the first 6 months of operation.
- Implemented a comprehensive training and development program, resulting in a 25% increase in employee retention and a 15% improvement in guest satisfaction scores.
- Optimized resource allocation and streamlined processes, reducing operational costs by 12% while maintaining high service standards.
- Developed and executed targeted marketing campaigns, leading to a 20% increase in revenue from key customer segments.
- Collaborated with the executive team to create and implement a 5-year strategic plan, aligning the resort's objectives with the company's overall vision.
- Played a key role in the successful integration of a newly acquired property, ensuring a seamless transition and minimal disruption to operations.
- Implemented a waste reduction initiative, resulting in a 30% decrease in food waste and a 15% reduction in overall waste management costs.
- Developed and launched a guest loyalty program, increasing repeat bookings by 18% and generating a 10% increase in revenue from loyalty members.
- Led the redesign of the hotel's website and booking engine, improving user experience and increasing online bookings by 25%.
- Mentored and coached department heads, fostering a culture of professional development and succession planning.
- Implemented a lean management system, streamlining processes and improving efficiency across all departments, resulting in a 15% increase in productivity.
- Developed and executed a comprehensive energy management plan, reducing energy consumption by 20% and saving the hotel over $150,000 annually.
- Led the successful implementation of a new property management system, ensuring a smooth transition and providing training to all staff members.
- Collaborated with the sales and marketing team to develop targeted promotions and packages, resulting in a 12% increase in occupancy during off-peak seasons.
- Conducted regular audits and inspections to ensure compliance with brand standards and local regulations, consistently achieving top scores.